Family Arts Festival - summer holidays

This summer's Family Arts Festival is themed around the seaside to get you into the holiday spirit! Our creative facilitators will show you how to make something truly unique using a range of art materials.

Be inspired by the artworks on display - you'll find landscape and seascape paintings, ceramics decorated with fish motifs, and lots of colour and patterns to inspire your designs!

Session themes:

• 25 July - Make a row of beach huts, using concertina-folded paper
• 1 August - Transform a paper plate into a seaside scene to hang on your wall
• 8 August - Create a boat picture with 3-D elements, using paper and cardboard
• 15 August - Make a rocking mermaid / merman sculpture using a paper plate and embellishments
• 22 August - Invent a delicious giant ice-cream using colourful paper, and write your own menu for playing cafes at home
• 29 August - Create an origami fish that really moves, and make a paper plate octopus

Further information:

• Suitable for all the family - best suited to ages 3+ with adult support.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Please book a ticket for everyone in your party (non participants go free).
• Seating is on communal tables, however if you require a quieter space please contact the Shipley Art Gallery to arrange by phone (0191 477 1495).

Please note, this is not a 'taught class' - instead, we have an array of enticing materials and will show you examples of what you can make, or you may bring your own ideas! Our friendly facilitators will circulate to encourage and support, and will be on hand if you're unsure. Families complete the activity independently, at their own pace.

If you can, please consider leaving a donation when you book today. We rely on the generosity of our visitors to help us keep art and heritage at the heart of the North East. Thank you.

This event is part of our Ways to Play programme of free and low-cost family-friendly activities. Make your 'Ways to Play' adventure a great value day out by travelling to our venues by the Metro and / or Ferry.  Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry with a fare-paying adult. Metro is the convenient, fast and frequent way to get to your favourite attractions and now it’s even more affordable. Find out more.